The
Talbert Family Foundation
“Fitness and Charity ”
“Fitness and Charity ”
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The
Talbert Family Foundation “Fitness and Charity ” |
TEAM CECILIA On Friday May 14th, 2010 after 2 1/2 long and painful months of being misdiagnosed Cecilia's parents were delivered the unimaginable news that their little girl had a 5 cm mass hiding under her left cheekbone in the pterygoid muscle extending up into her cranium and down into her nasal cavity. Unfortunately, the mass was believed to be Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer that needed to be treated immediately with 45 straight weeks of Chemotherapy and 6 Straight Weeks of Daily Radiation , Monday through Friday, all of which came along with a frightening 60% survival rate for their little girl. Completely devastated after receiving the news and feeling helpless after researching Rhabdo and meeting with countless Doctors and institutions over the next few days, Cecilia's parents soon had to deliver the unimaginable news of this cancer to Cecilia and her sisters who already unfortunately knew cancer too well after recently losing their close and very young friend Jeanette to Osteosarcoma whom the Bellissimo Girls lovingly did fundraising for. Emotionally, it is very difficult for all of the girls to cope with Cecilia's illness and yearn to see the Cecilia they knew just a few short Cecilia went from her healthy 64 lbs to 47 lbs and was unable to walk at all for over 6 weeks. Cecilia is still in a wheelchair most of the time because she is very weak but is slowly getting stronger and her sense of humor is coming back. Radiation to the face and brain is extremely difficult on patients and Cecilia is receiving the maximum dose that a human can tolerate. This will be her one and only chance ever for radiation to this area as she is receiving the maximum dose. Unfortunately, she will have to endure the future radiation side effects to her developing facial structure and jaw along with future surgeries. She will also suffer loss of hearing on the left side and will have major dental surgeries over the years due to the radiation as well. The outpouring of love and support from family, friends, neighbors and strangers has been overwhelming and a great source of strength and hope for Cecilia and her family. Each day is lived moment by moment for their family to make it through the emotional and physical challenges of what they are all facing with Cecilia's journey of Rhabdomyosarcoma. The Bellissimo Family sends their heartfelt thanks for all of the love, support and prayers they have received since learning of Cecilia's cancer. If you would like to keep up on Cecilia's progress and see photos visit nesting.com,
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Eight year old Cecilia Anne Bellissimo also know as "Butterfly" was born on January 1st 2002 at a healthy 9 lbs 3 oz and 22 1/2" long. (Cecilia is the 2nd born of 4 sisters....Gracie 10, Cecilia 8, Willow 7 and Marlie 5.) Cecilia grew to a vibrant, sweet and caring little girl who loves her family, friends, school, singing, guitar, acting,art, animals,nature, riding her bike and swimming. 
months ago. Cecilia had already endured so much pain as her mother struggled for months to find out what was wrong with her prior to her diagnosis and since May 14th has had Non Stop procedures, painful treatments and countless hospital stays that changed her physically and mentally overnight. 